215: The Puppeteers - Claude's POV (part 3)

The Puppeteers - Claude's POV (part 3)

The Crown Prince maintained his composure, acutely aware of the need to remain vigilant and safeguard Adela from any harm that might befall her. The situation was dire, but he was confident in his ability to ensure her safety.0

"You seem to assume that your investigation is already complete. Shouldn't my cousin be given the benefit of the doubt?" 

Emanuel sprung from his throne, descending it with an urgency that almost had him tumbling. He started pacing back and forth, then paused to point an accusatory finger at Claude's face.

"You had the chance to woo her instead of lingering by Larissa's side. Don't even try to claim you were seeking favor with Kaiser de Lanark and Adelaide!"

Emanuel continued his monologue, venting his anger as he paced.

"Predicting my brother's moves was entertaining, infiltrating his mercenaries' defense lines and undermining his plans was even more fun! But now that Kaiser has officially joined forces with Varinthia, this becomes a war on you. I cannot let it be."

Claude suppressed a scoff. It was a war against the King, not the Crown Prince. He saw it in the Archduke's eyes when he visited Lanark right before Kaiser's health deteriorated – how much the man, who thought of himself as a real uncle to Claude, struggled with seeing the potential the Crown Prince had for Emoria's benefit.

But that was all water under the bridge now.

Remaining unfazed, Claude kept a trained and patient gaze on the King as he slithered around the throne like the snake he is. Abruptly, Emanuel stopped and turned around to face his Crown Prince.

"What did I teach you about Healers?" The snake hissed.

Taking a deep breath, Claude replied casually as he stood next to the serpent-like Emanuel.

"They are the game changer for us. The union of vampire and witch blood will give rise to an Heir, a Healer who will inherit the world." He continued, anticipating the next question about the prophecy that led to the slaughter of unprotected Healers in Emoria.

"And what does that imply?" Emanuel's face turned yellow with fury, as if poisoning himself from within.

"That Adela might indeed be the Heir from the prophecy. We have discussed this before, Your Majesty," Claude responded.

"We certainly have!" Emanuel snapped, stomping his foot on the ground. "And what did you do about it, you useless bastard? Instead of seducing her like you did with every noblewoman in Kolhis, you couldn't even compete with that repulsive ape who was seen kissing her in public! Have you become impotent or something?"

Claude stifled a laugh, knowing full well that Emanuel would be the last person in Destan to criticize another man's performance in bed.

"I have told you many times before, Your Majesty, that Adelaide de Lanark is like a sister to me," Claude lied. "You were the one who insisted that I pursue her, and I did so not to disappoint you. But, as you've pointed out, her heart already belongs to another."

"Her heart! You talk like a commoner! As long as she's a virgin, she's fair game for you!"

Emanuel's words heated Claude's face, disgusted by the way the woman he loved was being objectified. He quickly reminded himself that this would likely be the last such conversation with Emanuel about Adela, but unfortunately, the snake seemed to smell Claude's frustration on him.

The King closed the distance between them, gripping Claude's collar and pulling him closer.

"Your so-called sister will soon have your head on a spike! You fool! Now, you will go to Lanark and extend the same courtesy, understand me?"

Claude wished he could snatch the unsheathed sword from Emanuel's hand and thrust it into his heart, ridding the world of such a deceitful existence. He knew all too well that Emanuel desired to burn Emoria to ashes and end his miserable life afterward.

There had been a time when Claude almost left the Emorians to their own affairs and ventured back to Kolhis to claim a throne that could be rightfully his. But he couldn't bring himself to let go of his Dela nor of Emoria, not when the woman he loved cherished her land the way she did.

He saw it coming, Emanuel's hand rising in the air. Claude met the king's gaze defiantly, ready for the impending blow to his face, something he had experienced many times before. However, to his surprise, Emanuel pushed him back without striking him, dropping the sword in the process.

"Everything... I did everything for you, so a man with pure royal blood could rule this land and cleanse it from all filth... I truly loved your mother, Claude, even though I knew she never loved me in return. Can't you embrace my vision? Can't you see that I want you to do what nobody else has done before? Don't you wish to rule over Kolhis and this continent simultaneously?"

Even a seasoned actor like Claude de Lanark couldn't hide his bewilderment at the nonsense he was hearing for the first time. The King must have been showing early signs of senility.

"Fine!" Emanuel barked before picking up his sword. "You can look like an idiot now. You'll come to understand what I did for you later on. Now," he sheathed his sword and ran his sweaty hands through his shoulder-length platinum-blond hair which looked oilier than usual, "I'll meet you by the portal in an hour. Make sure to bring everything I told you, and ensure that useless Larissa keeps it together when she sees her betrothed. No one will embarrass me."

Claude was yet again relieved that Emanuel saw Andreas as nothing more than the von Conradies' cousin. Intercepting intelligence about the ancient one's true identity had been extremely challenging for the Crown Prince, but he managed to keep the King in the dark about it.

"If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty," Claude said, turning on his heels and heading out.

"Close the damn door!" Emanuel bellowed like a pig before Claude felt a rush of wind from behind him.

Hastening to gather what the King had ordered, Claude had to quickly ensure that all paths leading to an unfavorable outcome for Adela were thwarted. This was his chance, the culmination of months of planning.

It will all be over soon.

After all had been said and done, amid the web of alliances and schemes surrounding Adela, there could be only one rightful ruler on the throne of Emoria. Claude would ensure that the throne was rightfully claimed.

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